Revision as of 10:33, 27 March 2008

Contents

Understand

Ballymote is a growing market town in south County Sligo, in the west of Ireland. It is an historic town, with Ballymote Castle, built by Richard Óg de Burgh, 2nd Earl of Ulster, dating from 1300.

Get in

Ballymote is on the main train line from Dublin to Sligo, with 5 trains daily each way. It is approximately 20 minutes South of Sligo, via the N4 (Dublin road), N17 (Galway Road) and R293 roads.

Get around

As Ballymote is only a small village (population of 1,229 according to the 2006 census) you could walk around it an a very short time. The general Ballymote area, however, is inaccessible without some other form of transport, mostly car or bike, both of which can be hired in Sligo, only 15 miles away.

See

Ballymote Castle, as seen from the near-by public park

Ballymote Castle, Tubbercurry Road (R296) (take the R296 road, (signposted to Tubbercurry and Ballina) less than half a mile outside the town, opposite the train station), ☎(keyholders) Enterprise Centre, Grattan Street on (071) 9183992. M-F 09.00 - 17.00. Although there are now no traces of the interior domestic buildings, you can see inside the very impressive walls of this early 14th century keepless castle. There are no guides, so you show yourself around. Do ask at the Enterprise Centre for the information leaflet.Small refundable deposit required for key.

Fighting 69th Monument, Ballymote Park, Sligo Road (R294) (on the entrance into Ballymote from Sligo (R294 road)). open all hours. Ireland's national monument commemorating Ballymote-born Brigadier General Michael Corcoran and the Fighting 69th Infantry regiment of the US Civil War. The monument also includes a small chamber set flush with the ground, which contains a piece of steel from the World Trade Center. This was donated by the parents of firefighter Michael Lynch, who perished in the attack, and who was from the local area. A visitor's book is available in the Coach House Hotel in ballymote, a five minute walk from the monument.Free.

Monument to the Fighting 69th Regiment and Brigadier General Michael Corcoran, who was born near Ballymote

Do

Eagles Flying (Irish Raptor Research Centre), (at the Fighting 69th Monument, go up hilll, follow road for about 2.5 miles, Eagles flying on left.), ☎(071) 9189310, [2]. From April 1st to November 7th inclusive: 10:30am-12:30pm, 2:30pm-4:30pm. Flying Demonstrations take place at 11am and 3pm. Ireland's largest sanctuary for owls and birds of prey. Many different species of eagles, hawks, falcons, vultures, Etc. During Flying Demonstrations, handlers and scientists inform about the biology and role of raptors in nature. Birds fly over your head, you may even get the chance to touch some of these princes of the skies.Adult: €8, Child (3-16): €5, Child under 3: free, student (with ID): €7, Family (2Ad+2Ch): €24 (€4 per extra child) and special group rates. Bookings generally not necessary, but for large groups (50 or more) let them know in advance..

Sleep

Coach House Hotel, Grattan Street (at the Church of Ireland in the middle of the town, take the Castlebaldwin Road keeping the church on your left, hotel is 200 metres on your right), ☎(071)9183111 (coachhousehotel@eircom.net, fax: (071)9183172). mid-range.

Temple House, (at the Fighting 69th monument, go up the hill, go past Eagles Flying, turn right at T-junction, then travel about half a mile further, Temple House on Left.), ☎(071) 9183329 (mail2007@templehouse.ie, fax: (071) 9183808), [3]. has hotel accommodation and self-catering in lodges on the grounds. Also cater to groups and parties.

Mill House Bed and Breakfast (Millhouse), Keenaghan, Ballymote (from the centre of town, with the Church of Ireland on your left, continue down the hill towards Boyle Road. At junction, drive straight through and house is 100 metres up hill, on the left), ☎(071) 9183449 (info@sligo-accommodation.com), [4].

Get out

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!